The Proverbs

Page 1

Chapter 1
1:1	The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
1:2	To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
1:3	To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
1:4	To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
1:5	A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
1:6	To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
1:7	The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
1:8	My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
1:9	For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
1:10	My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
1:11	If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
1:12	Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
1:13	We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
1:14	Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
1:15	My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
1:16	For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
1:17	Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
1:18	And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
1:19	So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
1:20	Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
1:21	She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
1:22	How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
1:23	Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
1:24	Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
1:25	But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
1:26	I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
1:27	When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
1:28	Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
1:29	For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
1:30	They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
1:31	Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
1:32	For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
1:3	But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Chapter 2
2:1	My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2:2	So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
2:3	Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
2:4	If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
2:5	Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
2:6	For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
2:7	He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
2:8	He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
2:9	Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
2:10	When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
2:11	Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
2:12	To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
2:13	Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
2:14	Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
2:15	Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
2:16	To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
2:17	Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
2:18	For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
2:19	None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
2:20	That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
2:21	For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
2:22	But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

Chapter 3
3:1	My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
3:2	For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3:3	Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
3:4	So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
3:5	Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
3:6	In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
3:7	Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
3:8	It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
3:9	Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
3:10	So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
3:11	My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
3:12	For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
3:13	Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
3:14	For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
3:15	She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
3:16	Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
3:17	Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
3:18	She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
3:19	The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
3:20	By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
3:21	My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
3:22	So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
3:23	Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
3:24	When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
3:25	Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
3:26	For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
3:27	Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
3:28	Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
3:29	Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
3:30	Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
3:31	Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
3:32	For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
3:33	The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
3:34	Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
3:35	The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

Chapter 4
4:1	Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
4:2	For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
4:3	For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4:4	He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
4:5	Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
4:6	Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
4:7	Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
4:8	Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
4:9	She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
4:10	Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
4:11	I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
4:12	When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
4:13	Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
4:14	Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
4:15	Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
4:16	For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
4:17	For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
4:18	But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
4:19	The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
4:20	My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
4:21	Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
4:22	For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
4:23	Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
4:24	Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
4:25	Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
4:26	Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
4:27	Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Chapter 5
5:1	My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
5:2	That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
5:3	For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
5:4	But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.
5:5	Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
5:6	Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.
5:7	Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
5:8	Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
5:9	Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:
5:10	Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;
5:11	And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
5:12	And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
5:13	And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
5:14	I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.
5:15	Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
5:16	Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
5:17	Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.
5:18	Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
5:19	Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
5:20	And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
5:21	For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
5:22	His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
5:23	He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

Chapter 6
6:1	My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
6:2	Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
6:3	Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.
6:4	Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
6:5	Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6:6	Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
6:7	Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
6:8	Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
6:9	How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
6:10	Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
6:11	So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
6:12	A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
6:13	He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
6:14	Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
6:15	Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
6:16	These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
6:17	A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
6:18	An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
6:19	A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
6:20	My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
6:21	Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
6:22	When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
6:23	For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
6:24	To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
6:25	Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
6:26	For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
6:27	Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
6:28	Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
6:29	So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
6:30	Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
6:31	But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
6:32	But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
6:33	A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
6:34	For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
6:35	He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

Chapter 7
7:1	My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
7:2	Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
7:3	Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
7:4	Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
7:5	That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
7:6	For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,
7:7	And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,
7:8	Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
7:9	In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:
7:10	And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtle of heart.
7:11	(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
7:12	Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
7:13	So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,
7:14	I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.
7:15	Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
7:16	I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.
7:17	I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
7:18	Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
7:19	For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
7:20	He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.
7:21	With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
7:22	He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
7:23	Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
7:24	Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
7:25	Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
7:26	For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
7:27	Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

Chapter 8
8:1	Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
8:2	She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
8:3	She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
8:4	Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
8:5	O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
8:6	Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
8:7	For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8:8	All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
8:9	They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
8:10	Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
8:11	For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
8:12	I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
8:13	The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
8:14	Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
8:15	By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
8:16	By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
8:17	I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
8:18	Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
8:19	My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
8:20	I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
8:21	That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
8:22	The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
8:23	I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
8:24	When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
8:25	Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
8:26	While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
8:27	When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
8:28	When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
8:29	When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
8:30	Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
8:31	Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
8:32	Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
8:33	Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
8:34	Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
8:35	For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
8:36	But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Chapter 9
9:1	Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
9:2	She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
9:3	She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
9:4	Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
9:5	Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
9:6	Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
9:7	He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
9:8	Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9:9	Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
9:10	The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
9:11	For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
9:12	If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
9:13	A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
9:14	For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
9:15	To call passengers who go right on their ways:
9:16	Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
9:17	Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
9:18	But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

Chapter 10
10:1	The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
10:2	Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.
10:3	The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.
10:4	He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
10:5	He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
10:6	Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
10:7	The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
10:8	The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
10:9	He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
10:10	He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
10:11	The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
10:12	Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
10:13	In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
10:14	Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
10:15	The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
10:16	The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
10:17	He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
10:18	He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
10:19	In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
10:20	The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
10:21	The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
10:22	The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
10:23	It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
10:24	The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
10:25	As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
10:26	As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
10:27	The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
10:28	The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
10:29	The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
10:30	The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
10:31	The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
10:32	The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

Chapter 11
11:1	A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
11:2	When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
11:3	The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
11:4	Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
11:5	The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
11:6	The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
11:7	When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
11:8	The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
11:9	An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
11:10	When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11:11	By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
11:12	He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
11:13	A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
11:14	Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
11:15	He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
11:16	A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
11:17	The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
11:18	The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
11:19	As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
11:20	They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
11:21	Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
11:22	As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
11:23	The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
11:24	There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
11:25	The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
11:26	He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
11:27	He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
11:28	He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
11:29	He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
11:30	The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
11:31	Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

Chapter 12
12:1	Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
12:2	A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
12:3	A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
12:4	A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
12:5	The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
12:6	The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
12:7	The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
12:8	A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
12:9	He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
12:10	A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
12:11	He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
12:12	The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
12:13	The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
12:14	A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
12:15	The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
12:16	A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
12:17	He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
12:18	There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
12:19	The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
12:20	Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
12:21	There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
12:22	Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
12:23	A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
12:24	The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
12:25	Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
12:26	The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
12:27	The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
12:28	In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

Chapter 13
13:1	A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
13:2	A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
13:3	He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
13:4	The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
13:5	A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
13:6	Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
13:7	There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
13:8	The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
13:9	The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
13:10	Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
13:11	Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
13:12	Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
13:13	Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
13:14	The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
13:15	Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
13:16	Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
13:17	A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
13:18	Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
13:19	The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
13:20	He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
13:21	Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.
13:22	A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
13:23	Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
13:24	He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
13:25	The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

Chapter 14
14:1	Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
14:2	He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
14:3	In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
14:4	Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
14:5	A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
14:6	A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
14:7	Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
14:8	The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
14:9	Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
14:10	The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
14:11	The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
14:12	There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
14:13	Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
14:14	The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
14:15	The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
14:16	A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
14:17	He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
14:18	The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
14:19	The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
14:20	The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
14:21	He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
14:22	Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
14:23	In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
14:24	The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
14:25	A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
14:26	In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
14:27	The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
14:28	In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
14:29	He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
14:30	A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
14:31	He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
14:32	The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
14:33	Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
14:34	Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
14:35	The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

Chapter 15
15:1	A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
15:2	The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
15:3	The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
15:4	A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
15:5	A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
15:6	In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
15:7	The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
15:8	The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
15:9	The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
15:10	Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
15:11	Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
15:12	A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
15:13	A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
15:14	The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15:15	All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
15:16	Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
15:17	Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
15:18	A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
15:19	The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
15:20	A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
15:21	Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
15:22	Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
15:23	A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
15:24	The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
15:25	The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
15:26	The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
15:27	He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
15:28	The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
15:29	The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
15:30	The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
15:31	The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
15:32	He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
15:33	The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Chapter 16
16:1	The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
16:2	All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
16:3	Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
16:4	The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
16:5	Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
16:6	By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
16:7	When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
16:8	Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
16:9	A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
16:10	A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
16:11	A just weight and balance are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
16:12	It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
16:13	Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
16:14	The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
16:15	In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16:16	How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
16:17	The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
16:18	Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
16:19	Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
16:20	He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
16:21	The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
16:22	Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
16:23	The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
16:24	Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
16:25	There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
16:26	He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
16:27	An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
16:28	A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
16:29	A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
16:30	He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
16:31	The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
16:32	He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
16:33	The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

Chapter 17
17:1	Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
17:2	A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
17:3	The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
17:4	A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
17:5	Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
17:6	Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
17:7	Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
17:8	A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
17:9	He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
17:10	A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
17:11	An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
17:12	Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
17:13	Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
17:14	The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
17:15	He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
17:16	Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
17:17	A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
17:18	A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
17:19	He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
17:20	He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
17:21	He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
17:22	A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
17:23	A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
17:24	Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
17:25	A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
17:26	Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
17:27	He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
17:28	Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Chapter 18
18:1	Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
18:2	A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
18:3	When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
18:4	The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
18:5	It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
18:6	A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
18:7	A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
18:8	The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
18:9	He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
18:10	The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
18:11	The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
18:12	Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
18:13	He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
18:14	The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
18:15	The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
18:16	A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
18:17	He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18:18	The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
18:19	A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
18:20	A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
18:21	Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
18:22	Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
18:23	The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
18:24	A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Chapter 19
19:1	Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
19:2	Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
19:3	The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
19:4	Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
19:5	A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
19:6	Many will entreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
19:7	All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.
19:8	He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
19:9	A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
19:10	Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
19:11	The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
19:12	The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
19:13	A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
19:14	House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
19:15	Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
19:16	He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
19:17	He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
19:18	Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
19:19	A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
19:20	Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
19:21	There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
19:22	The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
19:23	The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
19:24	A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
19:25	Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
19:26	He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
19:27	Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
19:28	An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
19:29	Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

Next Page|Bible Index